IN THE NEWS

President Proposes Modest Increases for Homeless Veteran Programs in FY 2006

President Bush's proposed Fiscal Year 2006 budget includes modest increases in some homeless veteran programs, but is being viewed with skepticism by Veteran Service Organizations and many homeless service providers who contend vital programs for veterans, the poor and elderly are not adequately funded.

The president requested $99 million for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, the full amount authorized by Congress, and a 15% increase over the amount allocated in FY 2005. The VA Domiciliary Care Program would receive $60.5 million, a 3.2% increase. Inpatient care programs for veterans with psychiatric and substance abuse problems would receive an additional $240 million. The Department of Labor Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program – which funds employment assistance, supportive services and transitional housing for homeless veterans – would receive $22 million, an increase of $1 million over FY 2005. The Veterans Workforce Investment Program (VWIP), however, would be reduced by $980,000 to $7.5 million.

For more information, and links to the proposed FY 2006 budget and analysis of its impact on homeless programs, go to: http://www.nchv.org/news_article.cfm?id=113.

Website Created for Evaluating the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative

The Urban Institute and RTI International have announced the creation of new website that includes interim reports from a five-year evaluation of the federal government’s Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI). Beginning in 2003, the United States Department of Justice and other federal partners has funded 69 grantees through SVORI to develop community-level programs and policies to reduce recidivism and to improve the employment, housing, and health outcomes of people returning to communities from prison.

The reports presently available on the website include initial implementation assessments for each of the 69 SVORI grantees, which the evaluators completed in July 2004. As the evaluation nears completion, the site will grow to include an intensive impact study of 16 selected sites, which will compare outcomes during the first two years after release for those who received SVORI services before release and those who did not. The website will also feature an economic analysis that will focus on the different costs and benefits to those who receive SVORI services and those who do not. To access the new website, go to: http://svori-evaluation.org.

RESOURCES

Urban Institute’s NCCS Offers Free E-filing of Form 990 for Nonprofit Organizations

The Urban Institute has announced that nonprofit organizations can file their Form 990s with the Internal Revenue Service this year electronically through a free web service created by the National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS). The new service – 990 Online – allows organizations to file their annual IRS report with the speed and accuracy enjoyed by individuals who e-file their federal income tax returns. NCCS, a program of the Urban Institute's Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy, is the national clearinghouse of research data on the nonprofit sector in the United States.
For more information on this free service, go to: http://www.urban.org/url.cfm?id=900777.

DOL-VETS Transition Assistance Manual Can Enhance Your Employment Assistance Effort

Service providers and case managers working with homeless veterans, and those who are helping recently discharged veterans who are unemployed or under-employed, will find important information in the Department of Labor-Veterans Employment and Training Service Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Manual, available for downloading online. The manual provides information about stress management, when a client should seek professional help for stress-related problems, veteran support and benefit programs, and guidance on how to prepare for and conduct a successful job search. To view or download the manual, go to: http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/tap/main.htm.

Consortium to Offer Technical Assistance to Create Transitional Jobs Programs

Cities, counties, states, CDCs, and nonprofit organizations are invited to apply to receive 18 months of technical assistance to establish innovative jobs programs for residents with barriers to work. Transitional Jobs are time-limited, subsidized jobs that combine real work, skill development, and support services to help participants overcome substantial barriers to employment. A consortium of organizations that includes the National Transitional Jobs Network, the Center for Employment Opportunities, the Transitional Work Corporation, and the National League of Cities, is seeking proposals from organizations operating within a defined region with a population of 50,000 or more to receive assistance in designing local Transitional Jobs programs. Interested entities may participate in a conference call on Tuesday, February 22, at 3 p.m. EST, to learn more about the Transitional Jobs model and application process. To register for the February 22 conference call, contact Laura Zusman at the National Transitional Jobs Network, 312-660-1345, or send lzusman@heartlandalliance.org.

HUD Publishes Extensive List of Surplus Properties to Assist Homeless

In accordance with the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, HUD published a Notice in the February 4, 2005, Federal Register identifying Federal buildings and other real property HUD has reviewed for suitability for use to assist the homeless. The properties were reviewed using information provided to HUD by Federal landholding agencies or by GSA regarding their inventories of excess or surplus property. The extensive list includes buildings and properties in 37 states. For more information and links to the Federal Register Notice of Properties Available to Assist the Homeless, go to: http://www.nchv.org/news_article.cfm?id=77.

New Resource Highlights Successful Housing Trust Fund Campaigns

The Center for Community Change has announced the availability of a new resource for communities seeking to expand available funding for the development of permanent affordable housing. “Winning at the Local Level: 5 Housing Trust Fund Campaigns Tell Their Stories” offers in-depth case studies of the campaigns that were successful in bringing dedicated revenue streams for affordable housing in Columbus/Franklin County, OH, Seattle, St. Louis, Los Angeles and Washington, DC. Go to: http://www.communitychange.org/issues/housing/trustfundproject/publications/index.php.

Comprehensive 2005 HUD Programs Manual is Available Online

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has posted its 2005 Manual of Programs online. The 133-page publication offers a comprehensive overview of HUD programs, with descriptions and monitoring requirements for each. The manual details each grant program and how funds are allocated. Also included are indexes of important HUD rules and directives, and regional HUD office locations and contact information. To view or download the 2005 HUD Programs manual, go to: http://www.huduser.org/whatsnew/ProgramsHUD05.pdf.

HUD Provides New Guidelines on Assisting People with Disabilities Through Section 8

On February 1, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued new guidelines to Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) about using the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program to assist people with disabilities in accordance with the President’s New Freedom Initiative and Executive Order on Community-Based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities. Examples of the guidelines include providing “generous” periods of time for people with disabilities to search for housing, referring people with disabilities to supportive service and disability organizations, and offering specialized housing search assistance.
The notice is available at http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/publications/notices/05/pih2005-5.pdf.